Hamilton’s stadium is ‘substantially complete’

STADIUM

John Rennison/Hamilton Spectator

Hamilton can finally take over its $145 million stadium next week – and now the race is on to get it event-ready. An independent certifier for Infrastructure Ontario alerted the city Friday evening that the long-delayed construction project has achieved “substantial completion.”

Hamilton can finally take over its $145-million stadium next week — and now the race is on to get it event-ready.

An independent certifier for Infrastructure Ontario alerted the city Friday evening that the long-delayed construction project has achieved "substantial completion."

That means the city finally gets the keys — 10 months later than expected — and beleaguered contractor Ontario Sports Solutions gets $89 million of withheld payments.

"There will still be minor work needed on the stadium, but it will not impact Pan Am / Parapan Am Games readiness or the stadium's ability to shine on the international stage," said IO vice-president John McKendrick in an email.

"Sufficient performance security has been withheld from the total payment to Ontario Sports Solutions to ensure any outstanding work is completed within the project's original budget."

An email to councillors Friday said staff will review the terms of the notice from the provincial oversight agency and update council on the next steps.

"We are surely looking forward to getting the community in there, to get a sense of how good it can be for Ward 3 and the whole city," he said.

Hamilton East-Stoney Creek New Democrat MPP Paul Miller, who has been a tough critic on the delays, called it "good" that the work is done, but he now wondered what impact that will have on the budget.

"Yes, I'm happy it's done, I just hope everything is on budget," Miller said. "I really don't think it will be, but we will see when the final bill comes in."

Public works head Gerry Davis earlier warned council it could take weeks to train staff, test-drive stadium equipment and ready the building for public use.

But Ferguson believes the city can have the stadium ready for a public open house May 21. An international soccer match is also planned between the women's teams from Canada and England on May 29.

Ferguson also said he's confident staff will make sure the value placed on remaining deficiencies and incomplete work will be enough to finish the job or compensate the city.

Coun. Sam Merulla expressed frustration the late stadium is seen by some as the city's fault.

"This is a provincial project and was from the time the bidding went forward to the time that the shovels went into the ground."

Merulla said that despite that "gross incompetence," the city must mitigate the impact on Hamilton.

"I think if we were to play hard ball and not buy into this, the community groups would hurt, the Tiger-Cats would hurt, which by extension would hurt the city."

Merulla hasn't seen the list of outstanding work, but suggested what remains to be done will be relatively minor.

"It's nothing to do with public safety, so we've checked that off the list."

(11) Comments

By David 1|JULY 13, 2015 02:02 PM

By the way, if your looking for some real facts, after the delays, mistakes etc nobody believes it cost $145 M. How about getting the facts and telling taxpayers what this misplaced stadium really ends up costing?

why is the Spectator reprinting this story from over a month ago stating the city signed off on the completed stadium and now the race is on to get it event ready, when later stories showed areas and items that were not completed like the water fountains etc. What is substantial completion? Either it's fully completed or it's not fully completed. A few days ago the Tiger Cats held off on payment because items in their contract were not completed. C.mon Spec it's one or the other. Don't pee on people's leg and tell them it's raining. The Spec should quit making false comments just because the Pan Am games are now taking place. Time for a little honest journalism.

jay I did see it and stand by my opinion looks like a cheaply built stadium that cost 145 mil and counting. no better than the old one ,big deal the seats are better, have you tried the food yet? site lines you got to be kidding.

Kevin - instead of talking to people who live around there that think it's crap, how about seeing for yourself? You think the old stadium had character, what does that mean? bench seats designed for 1950's backsides? I will take an individual seat with modern concessions and decent food and a decent sound system and great site lines, to the old stadium that had "character"